. >>> it all happened so quickly when an oakland man severed his finger in a freak accident, one doctor told him his only option was amputation. he decided to get a second opinion, and that second opinion changed his life. nbc bay area's marianne favro is here to explain this story. >> surgeons have been able to reattach severed fingers for years, but what's new about this case is that they used nerves from a cadaver sparing the patient from another surgery to use his own nerve. for 49-year-old christopher sharp, playing the piano doesn't just offer him the gift of music, it's a wonderful reminder of another gift. he can still play despite severing his finger in a freak accident climbing a fence last july. >> i felt my arm lift up, and a fair amount of pain. and i pulled my hand down, and most of the soft tissue on my left ring finger was gone. >> he collected his finger and headed to the e.r. where a doctor gave him one option. >> the only alternative for me was to have the whole thing cut off. that is literally what i was told. >> sharp decideded to get a second opinion fast. so i cam